Computer system and method including console housing multiple computer modules having independent processing units, mass storage devices, and graphics controllers

Abstract

A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A computer system for multi-processing purposes, the computer system comprising: 
       a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site; each coupling site comprising a connector, the console being an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site;  
       a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a connector, each of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit; and  
       wherein each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system, and wherein any two of the computer modules can replace each other in operation.  
     
     
       2. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the console further comprises of connections to two display monitors. 
     
     
       3. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the console further comprises of connections to two keyboards and two mouse devices. 
     
     
       4. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the console further comprises of two independent power supplies each coupled to one of the two computer modules. 
     
     
       5. The computer system of  claim 1  further comprising a serial communication hub controller adapted to transfer data between any two of the computer modules, and each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system. 
     
     
       6. The computer system of  claim 5  wherein the serial communication hub controller comprises an Ethernet connection coupled to an external network. 
     
     
       7. A computer system for multi-processing purposes, the computer system comprising: 
       a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site; each coupling site comprising a connector, the console being an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site;  
       a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a connector, each of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit;  
       wherein each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system, and wherein any one of the plurality of computer modules provides a back up from another one of the plurality of computer modules.  
     
     
       8. The computer system of  claim 7  further comprising a serial communication hub controller adapted to transfer data between any two of the computer modules, and each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system. 
     
     
       9. The computer system of  claim 8  wherein the serial communication hub controller comprises an Ethernet connection coupled to an external network. 
     
     
       10. A multi-processing computer system, said system comprising: 
       a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site; each coupling site comprising a connector, the console being an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site;  
       a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a connector, each of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit; and a video output coupled to the processing unit, each of the computer modules being substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system; and  
       a video switch circuit coupled to each of the computer modules through the video output, the video switch being configured to switch a video signal from any one of the computer modules to a display.  
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  wherein the display is coupled to the console through a single connector, the single connector coupling to each video output and also coupled to the video switch. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10  further comprising a user interface device switch coupled to each of the computer modules and coupled to a user interface device, the user interface device switch being adapted to connect the user interface device to either one of the computer modules. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12  wherein the user interface device comprises a keyboard and a mouse.